Five Lakes for Paddle-Boarding at Mont-Tremblant, Québec
- Giselle Benson
- Jun 8, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: May 28, 2024
What better way to enjoy a warm sunny day than by relaxing atop of a paddle-board? Get ready to drift around aimlessly, soaking up the sounds, sights, sensations, and splendour of Mother Nature. Get ready to discover five aquatic gems nestled in the Laurentian mountain range at Mont-Tremblant. Whether you endeavour to paddle, swim, or lounge by the lakeside, these wondrous bodies of water will welcome your arrival.
Accessing The Lakes
The five lakes (and bonus river) mentioned in this blog post can be most easily accessed through the 'La Diable' entrance to the park (click here for directions). For those of you who don't have your own paddle boards, rest assured knowing that you can rent them at Lac Monroe. We used an inflatable stand up paddle board (SUP) with an electric pump, but if you have roof racks, a traditional SUP could also be an ideal way to hop from lake to lake.
Ideal Time to Swim & SUP
We visited Parc National du Mont-Tremblant in early June and were blessed with phenomenal weather. For the week leading up to our arrival, this region of Québec had average temperatures of close to 30˚C so the water was uncharacteristically warm for this time of year. We visited during the week and essentially had the park to ourselves (also great for wildlife sightings). If you are hoping for the warmest weather - and the least amount of black flies and mosquitos - we would recommend visiting during July, August, and September. The only consideration to bear in mind is that this time-period coincides with Canadian/American school holidays, so the park may be considerably busier.
If you are born and bred in this region of the world you may indeed be used to the temperature of Canadian waters. It took me several years of fearfully avoiding long periods of swimming, to eventually embracing cold showers in order to adapt to the drastic temperature shift of Canada's water playgrounds. If you typically frolic in warmer waters, I highly recommend starting out your day with some moderate movement such as exploring a few trails or hikes (visit this guide for five hiking trails to explore in Mont-Tremblant) before you begin your water expedition. It can also be helpful to embark upon your adventure with an open heart and an open mind and accept that the temperature of the water is what is. Know that you can still choose to enjoy yourself and have fun. Mindful breathing and positive affirmations really supported me in being able to enjoy Canadian waters for longer periods of time. Be sure to bring towels, and warm layered clothing for afterwards, so that you can enjoy your time on land as well. See the aforementioned discussion as an opportunity to come prepared - this is not meant to deter you in anyway. You will be so grateful for your courageous decisions afterwards.
As Mark Twain poetically stated: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover."
Lake #1 Lac Lauzon
Lac Lauzon is a gorgeous lake nestled in the Laurentian hills, offering an expansive playground of clear turquoise coloured waters. This is also a beautiful spot for swimming. On a windy day you can stay close to the shore and find protection from the breeze thanks to the surrounding hills and trees. We recommend visiting this lake on a warm sunny day where you can float on your paddle board for hours on end as you revel in the beauty of this mountain paradise. If you would prefer to stay on land there is a small beach and a lovely grassy area with several picnic tables. We've visited Lac Lauzon early morning (a great time for deer spotting), around lunch, and from late afternoon until sunset, and we can confirm that this destination is wondrous no matter the time of day. Pack some nourishment and warm clothes and you could easily enjoy a whole day or weekend at Lac Lauzon.
Lake #2 Lac Chat
Lac Chat (Cat Lake) is another beautiful lake to visit on a fine summer's day. Even on a windy day we found this lake to be relatively quiet and sheltered. Lac Chat connects to the Devil's river, however we did not venture towards this part of the river. The beach at Lac Chat is somewhat larger than Lac Lauzon and you have the option to enjoy sandy or grassy shores. There are trails accessible from the Lac Chat carpark if you feel like exploring the surrounding woodlands (check out this blog post to find out about the Lac Aux Atocas trail which is accessible from Lac Chat). Around sunset we had the pleasure of sitting next to a group of friendly Canadian geese. If you are planning on swimming instead of paddle-boarding, we would recommend Lac Lauzon.
Lake #3 Lac Aux Beans
Lac Aux Beans is the perfect destination if you are craving privacy. With only one car space in the carpark it is probable that you will have this spot to yourself. Access to the lake is about a ten metre walk from the carpark. If you are unable to park at the designated Lac Aux Beans carpark, you will still be able to access this lake from Lac Monroe. We recommend this lake for paddle-boarding only as the beach is very small, and the shore is quite slimy - a great opportunity, however, to spot local frogs. This is a wonderful spot to visit late in the afternoon.
Lake #4 Petit Lac Monroe
Petit Lac Monroe is a family-friendly, accessible, lake for both paddle-boarders and swimmers alike. This swim spot has a lovely sandy beach stretch ideal for visiting from morning until late afternoon. To access this beach you can park your car at the Lac Monroe visitor's centre and turn left when you arrive at the bridge. There is a path that veers off to the left of the bridge and you walk about 20 metres to arrive at the beach. We found this to be a great swim spot with clear water on a calm day.
Lake #5 Lac Monroe
Lac Monroe is the largest lake in this sector of Mont-Tremblant National Park. This is the perfect destination for paddle-boarding if you enjoy covering large surface areas on your adventures. This lake is in full sun from sunrise to sunset. Bring some snacks, smiles, and good vibes, and surrender to the sublime serenity of Lac Monroe. There are numerous beaches to enjoy along this stunning body water, although parking may seem a little interesting. Many of the carparks are exclusively designated for campers so we suggest using the following carparks: Lac Monroe visitor centre, La Corniche, La Roche, and Lac Lauzon. Paddle-boarding close to the shores of Lac Monroe around dusk and dawn is another great way to see deer.
BONUS: Devil's River
Devil's river weaves its way through the La Diable sector of Mont-Tremblant National Park. We discovered this tranquil part of the river just after the entrance to the park. Before you arrive at the gates to purchase your park passes, there is a parking lot next to a cabin where you can leave your car. A dirt path will take you in the direction you drove in from. Walk for about 5 minutes and you will find a clearing with grassy sandy banks surrounding this peaceful body of water. We recommend this a spot to stretch your legs after the drive in. Consider driving into the park and visiting the other recommendations on this list before choosing your SUP destination of choice. You can access this river through various other regions of the park such as Lac Chat, Petit Lac Monroe and Lac Monroe.
We hope this travel guide inspires you take it easy and enjoy the magic of drifting atop of a paddle-board on one of these gorgeous lakes. Have you visited Mont-Tremblant national park?
Leave us a comment down below and share your highlights and memorable experiences!
May you be well!
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